Early in my Christian life, I really struggled with knowing what specifically is God’s will for my life. I mean wrestling within myself, agonizing over everyday decisions, little itsy-bitsy stuff that seems so silly and embarrassing today.I was fearful of making a wrong move, possibly triggering God’s wrath in the process. What does God want me to do? I would have to say that this went on for years and years. Talk about sapping any joy I had in being a Christian. Just clouded everything with cosmic uncertainty and doubt. Not like what Jesus said about giving us life and that abundantly(John 10:10), or the simple joy of the Lord. Frankly and honestly, I was miserable. Would someone please deliver me from the pretzel of my innards, PLEASE! Anyone else have this experience, I hope not?! Sure I’m not alone but if I am, so be it; and if not, then good for you! As the years have gone by, you know what has really helped me, to give me some peace and joy? Just reading God’s word and listening to what’s going on inside it. Slowing down… to hear the dialogue of the Bible and what the Lord has to say today to me…and it may be nothing to do with today’s whatevers in my life, but just knowing that it will be of use at some point, some day. Hint from the Bible: stop worrying and start enjoying the Lord who really loves me, who truly loves you. Stop being so intentional, so useful and immediate… just being with Him and listening to how He deals with other people, the true stories we read about in the Bible. Have you read what I suggest for today from Acts? Here’s a good insight into how to know the will of God for you and me. The Apostle Paul is in the major ancient city of Ephesus teaching and speaking in the synagogue about Jesus, the Messiah. The people there can’t get enough of what he’s saying. They beg him to stay and continue with what the Lord is showing them. They need more of his time and instruction of Scripture. But Paul says ‘no’, he declines their offer. He does? I’d find that very hard to do. Is this not God’s will…from His mouth through their lips? But Paul moves on as he must, he’s on continuous mission for the Lord. But he does promise them “…I will come back if it is God’s will.'(Acts 18:21)…that word ‘if’ is very meaningful. That’s a little word that can help us…’if’. Trusting that God always knows what’s best for us. Go with your passion, live the life you want, be who God gifted you to be, stop worrying about it all, be confident in His love and acceptance, keep pressing forward knowing that ‘I will…if it is God’s will’. And sometimes, as in prayer, we must keep on knocking, keep on seeking and keep on asking. Persevere, work hard, dream big and little dreams…knowing that God’s will overall is for you and for me to ‘glorify Him and enjoy Him forever’ (from Westminster Shorter Catechism–still good today!). Go for it…Read His Will, the Bible, listen for His voice, and glorify Him and enjoy Him! OK? Hope this helps you as it has helped me.
A MORE COMPLETE PICTURE Read 1 Corinthians 9:6, Galatians 2:1,9,13 and Colossians 4:10
If you’ve read the Bible readings for today, you know I’m still caught up with good old Barnabas! These verses round out his character, draw a more complete picture of a truly remarkable human being, a committed follower of Jesus Christ. Quite a role model, yet with flaws and foibles and sins like the rest of us. One of the many things I love about the Bible is how honest it is. No candy-coating, no political spin or cover-up. It gives us a complete picture. Take Barnabas for example. He’s hardworking. In Corinthians Paul mentions that he and Barnabas must work for a living. Paul was a tent-maker.Possibly Barnabas was also. We don’t know– but we do know is that they didn’t live by hand-outs. They were hard-working men. They did what they could not to be a burden on anyone else. They were able…and if we’re able, we should do what the Lord wants us to do. And to do for those unable to help themselves. A job to do, a word of encouragement to give, a second chance to offer…I want to be a laborer for Jesus just like Barnabas ! You too? Now, turn to Galatians and we see Paul and Barnabas as a team–‘this time with Barnabas’ and ‘gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship’. Barnabas is a team-player, an encouragement to Paul, someone he can could on when the chips are down. ‘Paul and Barnabas’–sounds like one name! Well, neither of them are perfect, certainly. They had that huge fight stomping off in totally different directions. I’m sure they both felt the other was in the wrong and that they were dead right. Paul certainly had his strong opinions. Read Galatians 2:11 where Paul, the newbie, confronts the premier Apostle, Peter, ‘because he was clearly in the wrong.’ Clearly! Paul’s got chutzpah! Not only is Peter wrong but we discover that he’s dragged good old Barnabas along with him! Yikes. You see Peter would fellowship with Gentile Christians but when the up-tight old Board of Elders showed up he turned his back on the Gentile Christians, snubbing some of this,his new church family. Paul just shakes his head in disgust, looks around the room and who’s with Peter off in the corner with the high mucky-muck? That’s right, Barnabas! Bet that didn’t last too long–Paul lets those hypocrites know all about it. And Paul could do it– and he did it! Now step back and pause for a moment.What about you…and me? Who am I avoiding? Or looking down upon? Or trying to please people covering up who I really am? ‘All things to all people’ but not save them, but to preserve my image in their eyes?That’s something to ponder and repent of. Now to Colossians where Paul mentions Mark his fellow disciple, the cousin of Barnabas. That second-chance given by Barnabas really paid off in the life of Mark. He’s back in the battle, he’s here to stay, he’s standing side-by-side with Paul in prison never to run away,never to desert, never again. Who knows what encouragement, what kind word, what act of tough love, what second chance we may give someone that may be just what the Holy Spirit will use to mold a life for Jesus now and forever. Who knows? Want to find out?
COULD THEY BOTH BE RIGHT? Read Acts 15: 36-41 Again!
Could they both be right? Paul and Barnabas have a huge argument over whether to take John Mark on their second missionary journey for the Lord, since this young man has deserted them on the first journey. Left them high and dry running back home to Jerusalem. Take him with us again? Paul says in effect ‘no way, he better grow up first. This is for the Lord, and we need no more distractions from the likes of John Mark. Maybe some day…’ But Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement and John Mark’s cousin (Col.4:10), wants to give him another try, a second chance. Who’s right after all? Well, as we know, the result is TWO power-packed missionary journeys spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ farther and faster than even they imagined. I still wonder though: could Paul and Barnabas both be right? Stepping away from the actual situation, let me be personal here. Sometimes in my life, the doors have been slammed closed right in my face. Get moving, buddy. Not here…not in our backyard. And the job of pastor comes crashing down. It hurt, to put it mildly…it was devastating and I can still feel the anxiety of the unknown future, what lay ahead. Not just for me but for family and others as well. I think the Apostle Paul would have advised me to take time off, to grow closer to the Lord and not that denomination any longer, stop trying to climb ladders professionally, talk more about Jesus than your plans for bigger and better churches just around the bend. But for now, no new missions for you. Grow…before you go.Get closer when the doors close. And Paul would have been right. God led me through times of growing and allowing times of failure and getting closer to Him before I would take a side-step here and there…getting close and then pulling back. Do you hear what I’m saying? Am I the only one with these experiences? But then again Barnabas was right also. I thank God for the people who gave me second and third chances…to minister. A Roman Catholic priest who was a local hospital chaplain faced real criticism by having me, a Protestant, preach at the Catholic service at that hospital chapel two weeks after leaving my church …he didn’t care what people thought, he was Barnabas to me. He said, ‘Get right back on that horse’! He gave me a second chance when I didn’t even ask for it… and I am forever grateful. And for a TV station that allowed me to do ‘Person-to-Person’ for 5 years witnessing in word and song to Jesus Christ– not just behind the walls of one church building but throughout 2 whole counties. And the church I just retired from, 14 years of preaching,teaching, evangelism, mission projects, Bible studies, prayers groups…all from the Lord because I was given a second chance…all in the same town! Have I seen what the Lord can do with my life? And not just mine! I think Paul and Barnabas were both right. How about you? Need to grow before you go? Don’t rush it…spend lots of time with Him in the Bible and prayer with God’s people. Growing and growing in Him alone. Need a second chance? Pray for it…God will open doors and windows just for you… for others… for Him! And maybe, just maybe, you need to give someone else a second chance. Think so?
THERE’S TROUBLE BREWING! Read Acts 15: 36-41
‘There’s trouble, right here in River City’! Well, ‘Music Man’, not referring to pool-playing downtown and the temptations of youth, but rather to what happened in the early church one day. It happened one day, but trouble had been brewing for awhile. It began when Paul and Barnabas (remember him?!) and some others sail from Barnabas’ home island of Cyprus for the Turkish port city of Perga. In Acts 13:13 Luke tells us that John (his full name is John Mark, the writer of the Gospel so named) ‘left them to return to Jerusalem’. If that’s all we knew, we’d think that nothing out-of-the-ordinary had happened with Mark and the others on this inaugural missionary journey. Maybe he had other commitments, possibly he had a message to take back to Jerusalem for the Apostles still there? We wouldn’t know, would we? But a few chapters later, Luke tells us that something has broken out between these missionary partners, Paul and Barnabas–and it’s all about John Mark. You see Paul wants to travel back again to those towns where those new believers needed encouragement, proper teaching, whatever. Paul tells Barnabas that they must go back and ‘see how they are doing’. And Barnabas’ heart, that ‘Son of Encouragement’, would leap with joy at the thought. But here we discover something we didn’t know before. John Mark didn’t just go home or on a side-mission. No, Luke says that ‘he had deserted them’. Oh, no, how horrible! A deserter.AWOL. Weak…troubled…a failure. John Mark, Barnabas’ cousin, had abandoned them on their mission for the Lord. Can you imagine? Trouble among believers…a church split wide open. And not just a slight tiff, either. Luke says ‘they had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.’ Went their separate ways. This was a big blow-up, indeed. Swords were sharp and sharpened. And among leaders in the early church and early missionaries of the Prince of Peace. Prince of what? Peace…shalom? Well, you’ve been around awhile like I have. We’ve seen these things happen. Sometimes the shock just lingers for years and years. Others have failed us and we have failed others as well. I have and I’ve had it happen to me a number of times as well. That’s just life–even in the body of Christ. No fun…disillusioning for sure. But here’s one lesson from this story. My take on it. Don’t let troubles that brew…stew. Let them go…but you go on for the Lord. Don’t let them stop you in your tracks. Learn from them as much as you can…and then let them go. Someone needs that message today…maybe you or possibly someone you know. If someone else, then forward this blog to them today. I think I’ll stop here to let you digest what God is saying to you right now. Me, too. But there’s more to this amazing story… for next time!
HERE HE IS AGAIN! Read Acts 9:26-31
The first time Barnabas shows up in the Bible he’s a giving man, selling a piece of land and placing all the monies at the total disposal and discretion of the Apostles. His given name is Joseph, he’s from the Israelite tribe of Levi. The Levites were servants of the priests in the Temple in Jerusalem. After the defeat and dispersion of Israel , the Jews worshiped God in local synagogues wherever they lived. Joseph was so special to the Apostles that they gave him the new name of Barnabas, ‘the Son of Encouragement’! He was from Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean Sea off of what is today Turkey, a place of mixed religions and peoples, an island with a very ancient history. I hope you’ve now read from Acts 9 to find out more about Barnabas, for this is where he shows up next in the Bible. To set the stage a bit, a ferocious enemy and persecutor of the early church, a man named Saul, has had a rather dramatic conversion experience.That’s an understatement! Now, he’s speaking out and preaching about the Risen Lord Jesus, the Messiah! Not against, but for. Not an enemy, but a brother in Christ? What, are you crazy? Talk about the ultimate con trick. Infiltrating our small group of believers from the inside to finish us off. We must be so careful. We were warned about wolves in sheep’s clothing. And now Saul is one of us? Yeah, right! He wants to reduce us to maybe one! And now the report is that he’s in Jerusalem looking to join us, to be one of us. Oh, the fear and trembling going on. Lord, deliver us from the likes of this Saul of Tarsus. Help…help…help! We just can’t believe it. Can we blame these early Christians? No, certainly not. I’m sure I’d be with them. But one of them, a man of courage, good old Barnabas, steps forward, trusting in the Lord no matter what, and goes to Saul. The Bible says that Barnabas brought Saul to the Apostles telling them all about that dramatic encounter with Jesus on the Road to Damascus, where Saul was blinded and actually talked with the Risen Lord Jesus, who told Saul all about the godly plans Jesus had for him in the future, and how Saul, the persecutor was now Saul the preacher. And how Saul’s life was now in danger from the very people he was one of just a short time ago. Did you notice something about Barnabas? Something special? A quality in him, this Son of Encouragement? How did he know all this about Saul? No e-mails or tweets or snail-mail in those days. No, Barnabas actually listened to Saul. He was interested in what had happened to him. He was genuine, he cared, he desperately wanted to know all about this man Saul and what had happened to him on that Road to Damascus. Barnabas listened… and what an encouragement that can be. What a gift you can give someone today. Just to listen, just to care, just to hear their hearts and minds. Doesn’t happen very often in life does it? Could happen today and it could happen from you and me, to be an encouragement to some one today! Hear their story…hold back yours. That was Barnabas…but there’s more!
MORE ON GOOD OLD BARNABAS! Read Acts 4: 36-37
As mentioned last time, I love Barnabas. He’s one of the heroes of the early church. Could we have more of his type in our midst? Could you or I be like Barnabas? I’ve known some like him. But only a few at the very most. Special people who give of themselves, unaware of the kudos they could have gotten for themselves, thinking about others, wondering what’s in your life and not ready to jump in with their own stories but bigger and better ones or worse and more painful ones. You know. You’ve met them. Hope I’m not looking in the mirror! No, people like Barnabas, a server, someone who could take second place without feeling second class,didn’t always have to win or come in first, an encourager, a man of God who knows what worship is really like and not just on Sundays(or for him, Saturdays). He’s been around a bit and knows what people are like, what makes them tick. He’s from Cyprus, after all. ( Right now I’m praying , ‘Lord, make me like Barnabas’. How about you?) There’s more to him in these 2 short verses. Luke writes in the book of Acts that he ‘sold a field he owned’. He had resources. Wealthy? Who knows. But he did own this field. Not a debtor but an owner. He had land. Some earth he could put his hands into and look at and plan for and depend upon if his fortunes went south. But with all the needs of this young church family, Barnabas must have felt compelled to sell this piece of land, to let go of it. This good earth had value as it sold, someone was happy to buy it. From him… to them.. No longer the security it may have been for him. No longer one of the landed gentry. Sold. Gone. Not rented or borrowed or lent or to be returned in the Jubilee. He ‘sold a field he owned’. So, what does Barnabas do with this money? Tithe it? No, he ‘brought the money and put it at the Apostles’ feet.’ He brings the money,all of it, a gift from Barnabas to the Apostles. Hands wide open and leaning in their direction. As if to say, ‘here, take it, please, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ’. And puts it at their feet. No strings attached. He lets them decide how best to use every shekel, every last dinarius. No ‘Barnabas Christian Education Wing’ or the John Fischer Chapel as I’d probably ask for or I want my money back! No backsies for good old Barnabas. Are you getting a clearer picture of this special follower of Jesus? Wouldn’t you like to be more like him? Ask the Lord. I will too. What a difference we’d make and nobody would ever have to know why. The Holy Spirit…His fruit…more like Jesus every day! That’s reward enough. Right? And more about Barnabas next time!
A WORTHY ROLE-MODEL Read Acts 4:32-37
The one person in the New Testament that I preached the most about, apart from Jesus, was Barnabas. I wanted to preach every year on him, some aspect of his life and ministry. Sadly, I didn’t do that. For he’s a worthy role-model for each of us and deserves at least one sermon a year! So, for the next few postings(we’re travelling now so postings will not be daily, just occasionally as intended from the outset), I want to talk about Barnabas. He’s first mentioned in this text of Acts 4 as a kind of worthy personal example and footnote to what the early church first looked like –a united group of believers in Jesus the Living Son of God, they shared all they had, they witnessed about the Risen Jesus where ever they went and with whomever they met, no one had unmet needs, they shared willingly and tangibly and generously. The church at its beginnings is at its very best. And then in verse 36 we’re introduced to one of the members of the church who personifies all the qualities of the new life in Christ, exhibiting in his being the fruit of the Holy Spirit. His name was Joseph…in the line of others with that name who were courageous for God, heroes in both the Old and New Testaments. A worthy name with prayers from his parents for a life that would match the good name of Joseph. He was a Levite, we’re told. They were men of the tribe of Levi, who served the Lord assisting the priests in the Temple in Jerusalem. They were servants, assistants, helpers and up-lifters of others. Joseph did not serve in the Temple growing up as his parents had moved far away. We learn that he was from Cyprus, where there were many Gentiles living among the Jewish community there. He could mix-it up with people who were different from himself and his group. He knew what life was like in the real world. This Joseph was not raised in some cloister or monastery. The apostles loved this Joseph. They even gave him a nickname, one that fit him to a tee. They called him Barnabbas, which means ‘Son of Encouragement’! What a worthy nickname! It fit so well with Joseph that never again is he referred to as Joseph in the Book of Acts. Now and always, Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement! He must have been someone who uplifted everyone he came in contact with. Saw the best in people, gave others a second chance, thought before he spoke, was kind more than critical. We’ll hear more of this in future blog postings. Isn’t he a worthy role-model? I’d like to be more like Barnabas. And to be honest, I have a long-ways to go. There’s an edge to me that sometimes feels harsh. Anybody else with me? Am I the only one? Be honest now. I’m challenging myself now– why not look for opportunities to encourage someone today. Think of ways to say ‘thank you’ and ‘God loves you’. You’ll have the opportunity…oh,wouldn’t it be nice to be called Barnabas!
MY GENERATION Read Psalm 24
Hardly a day goes by when we don’t hear some description of the different generations that make up our society. I’m an early Baby Boomer, one of those countless millions born right after the end of World War 2(no, not the Civil War!). Before us is the Greatest Generation, after us the Hippies, and now we have the X Generation, the Y Generation, the Millenials and the who knows what generation. I can’t keep up. What’s next? ‘Jimmy crack corn and I don’t care’!! I was reading Psalm 24 in my quiet time with the Lord…and He spoke loud and clear to me through His written Word, the Bible: ‘Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob’ (verse 6). People love to categorize others, button-hole them, pigeon-hole them, put them in a box, labeling them maybe to shelve them ignoring them? Could be. I’m not sure but I do know that creating such dividing walls separates people making us more lonely than we need to be and even a bit smug. Read Psalm 24:6 again…Seeking the Lord, wanting to be close to Him, hearing Him in His Word, experiencing Him in the events of our lives, being in His hands,humbly and comfortably sitting at His feet puts all of us who believe in Him in the same generation. The Seeking Generation…that’s us! Male, female, Jew, Gentile, Sudanese, Romanian,rich,poor, upper-class, no-class,old, young, good-looking, barely noticed, doctorate, school of hard-knocks, Baptist, Presbyterian, Non-Conformist, Roman Catholic…all in Jesus who trust in Him alone, the Same Generation! So, when someone asks you what generation you were born into, tell them, ‘the Generation that Seeks the Lord.’ And say it proudly! That’s my generation! And yours? Hey, even more than that, we’re family in the Jesus, with an inheritance that’s just out of this world! ‘Such IS the Generation of those who seek Him…’
eneration! Talk about walls coming a- crashing down! Barriers shattered. People talking with each other and not passed each other. Wow! Praise the Lord! One People, One Church…When you’re asked what generation you were born in? Why not say, the Generation that seeks the Lord! That’s my generation? And yours? Think of the inheritance we all have coming!
OLD MAN’S BEARD! Read Job 26:5-14
While here in South Carolina, we have toured 2 of the old Rice Plantations along the historic Ashley and Cooper Rivers outside of what they call the ‘Holy City’, Charleston. Azaleas have been in full bloom and just breath-taking! Hit it just right! One of the flowering trees , new to us, that we have so enjoyed has large clusters of very fragrant white flowers that just fill the landscape with beauty and sweet fragrance. Asking one of our tour guides for the tree’s name, she said it was a Fringetree. Like that ‘surrey with the fringe on top’, a frilly cream-white flower, showy, bell-shaped and fringelike with groups of 3 together on 4 to 8 inch stalks (aren’t you glad we bought that tree book!). Now that I’m so old, I noticed with a laugh that this tree is also called ‘Old Man’s Beard’–which reminds me that I do need to shave soon! Today I want to thank the Lord for all His creative power and majesty and artistic wonder. Just look around you, where you are, and marvel at all His hand has made. The stars…the oceans and rivers…clouds and rain, sun and moon…the birds (we have enjoyed the Painted Bunters and the Pileated Woodpeckers and of course my favorite Cardinals). Why not turn in your Bible to the Old Testament book of Job, chapter 26. And read it. His opening 4 verses are dripping sarcasm aimed at his friends who have proved to be less than true ones to him. But from verses 5 onward Job gives great praise to God the Creator of this world and universe. Please do read these verses…they are magnificent. Take note today of His work shared with us…in creation. Forget Mother Nature…this is Father God the Creator, and Jesus His Son, and the Holy Spirit. Now look at verse 14–for here is a word of hope that we ‘ain’t seen nothin’ yet’! “And these are but the outer fringes of His works…” (Job 26:14). Read that again. There’s so much more to see when we get to Heaven– the horizons are endless; the vistas, eternal; the beauty,unsurpassed; the learning, never-ending; the true stories entertain like nothing on this earth ever has or will. Heaven is just that…heaven and paradise. And the best is yet to come! As Job said, ‘these are but the outer fringes of His works.” Can’t wait for the surrey to pick us up and drop us off at the most marvelous New Jerusalem ever coming down from God Himself! Are you ready?
SUCH FOND MEMORIES Read Job 23:12
This month is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the New York World’s Fair! I have such fond memories of my times there. I was in high school, a teenager who just the year before had responded to the invitation to ask Jesus Christ into my life. A brand-new believer who knew next to nothing of the Bible or Christianity at all. It was a Sunday evening, the date I cannot tell you, and I was channel surfing on my old radio in my tiny upstairs bedroom. School was the next day and I wasn’t really looking forward to it as I was very self-conscious and fearful and shy in those days. Though I knew so little, yet when I heard of Jesus’ love for me and that He wanted to be in my life, I just grabbed it, I just lunged toward Him in simple faith. And that started the great journey of my life. A highlight of my life then was the World’s Fair in New York City. I lived maybe 2 hours from Flushing Meadows where the Fair was held, and my father and I went 12 times to see it during its 2 year run! 12 times…and with my Dad who was a real neat guy. Very friendly, calm, would never go on his own and my mother had no interest at all in doing much outside the house she loved and felt secure in, but with me he loved to go to the Fair as well. 12 times we went–still shocks me. All those times together. Did I say where? Yes, the New York City World’s Fair! All those sights and sounds and smells of excitement everywhere. I loved it! GE, General Motors, Walt Disney with that ‘It’s a Small World’ tune I still can’t get out of my head! Going past Michelangelo’s Pieta in the Vatican Pavilion…so beautiful and breath-taking with the whitest marble you could ever imagine, but don’t linger in watching for we were on conveyor belts, whisking us by to make room for lots and lots of people. First time I ever ate Belgian Waffles–so good and messy! All those memories are still vivid in my mind to this day. But the one that has had lasting impact on my life is a visit to the Billy Graham Pavilion. Yes, there was one. And it was there that I signed up for my first Bible study course and received a modern-day translation of the Bible, paperback version, which I still have to this day. I thank God for Billy Graham…he was the one I heard on the radio that Sunday evening when I asked Jesus into my life. And now it’s Billy Graham that is getting me going into God’s Word. I thank God for Billy Graham. But more so, as Job said many years ago now, ‘…I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.’ (Job 23:12). It’s God’s Word I took away with me from that World’s Fair. It’s the Bible that is the treasure God has given me to learn of Him and to love Him. It’s God’s Word that He offers us as more than daily bread to nourish us, to challenge us, to discipline and correct us, love letters all from His Mouth to our ears. What could be better? Such fond memories of those New York World’s Fair visits accompanied by my Dad…and receiving a gift that keeps on giving as I spend time in God’s Holy Word. The same gift from that same Lord Jesus Christ gives to you as well. Better than Belgian Waffles, better that a marble masterpiece. Open it today, the Bible, God’s gift that keeps on giving…
Reflections out of time 